Everything you need to know about skiing and other Alpine winter sports
The BBC announced today that Ski Sunday, the BBC’s winter sports programme, is to end after nearly 50 years.
First broadcast in 1978, it featured the best of winter sports action, but changing audience behaviours and the tough financial decisions needed to meet savings requirements mean BBC Sport has sacrificed its flagship ski program.
Winter Sundays will never be the same.
The 2024-25 season saw a record 399 million global skier visits, a 7.8% increase from the previous year. While this growth was widespread, the report highlights that the Alpine countries—Austria, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, and Switzerland—collectively account for 14% of the world’s estimated 150 million skiers. This places the Alpine region, including Switzerland, as a key pillar of the global ski market, alongside Western Europe (20%), the Americas (20%), and Asia-Pacific (33%).
Notably, the 2024-25 season saw strong demand despite below-average snow in parts of Europe, with snowmaking and operations helping to maintain visitation levels. While countries like the U.S., Italy, and Russia exceeded pre-Covid averages, the report notes that Japan and Germany have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. China once again leads the ranking of countries performing above their historic pre-Covid five-year average.
The leading ski nations are:
The findings were released at the Mountain Planet trade show in Grenoble, France in the The International Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism 2024/5.
The unusually warm Winter has taken its first significant closure at the wonderful Minschuns ski area. The Communications Officer for Sportanlagen AG, Val Müstair, informs me that
“Due to the critical snow conditions in Val Müstair, the Minschuns winter sports area will close its facilities as early as Sunday, March 15, 2026”.
Football players spend much of the year training on the pitch, but when winter arrives, some stars enjoy trading their football boots for skis, snowboards, or other winter-sport equipment. For many players, winter sports provide a fun way to enjoy the outdoors, relax during their time off, and experience a different kind of physical challenge.
Skiing is particularly popular among footballers who enjoy spending their holidays in snowy destinations. The sport requires balance, coordination, and concentration, skills that can also be useful in football. Some players have shared photos and videos from ski resorts, showing fans another side of their lives away from competitive matches.
Snowboarding is another winter activity that attracts athletes looking for excitement and adventure. Unlike football, snowboarding involves navigating slopes and maintaining balance at high speeds, making it a thrilling change of pace. However, professional players generally need to be careful with activities that carry a significant injury risk, especially during the football season.
Winter sports can also give football stars an opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends. A trip to the mountains can offer a break from busy training schedules, matches, media commitments, and travel. Whether they are skiing down a mountain or simply enjoying the snowy scenery, these experiences allow players to enjoy their interests outside football.
For fans, seeing football stars participate in winter sports can make them feel more connected to their favorite players. It shows that even elite athletes have hobbies and enjoy ordinary recreational activities when they are away from the pitch. Fans who follow their favorite stars through social media and live updates from Football Today can therefore discover more about their personalities, interests, and lifestyles beyond the game.